Mercedes-Benz has launched the B-Class diesel in the Indian market. The B-Class was launched last year with a petrol only heart. With growing demand for diesel cars across segments, Mercedes-Benz was missing out big without offering a diesel engine in the B-Class. The recently launched Volvo V40 Cross Country is the closest rival to the B-Class, which was launched last year with a diesel engine. Now Mercedes has given the B-Class an engine from the C-Class but with a hefty detune in the interest of economy.
Read The Mercedes B-Class Diesel Review
While the petrol version of the B-Class is available in Style and Sport variants, the diesel powered B-Class is only offered in Style trim. This is similar to the A-Class which too comes in Style trim only. The Style trim of the B-Class doesn’t get a few features like panaromic sunroof, Parktronic, navigation and 17-inch wheels (you get 16-inch wheels). The interiors don’t get piano black inserts on the dashboard either. Powering the Mercedes B-Class diesel is a 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder engine which produces 109 HP of power and 250 Nm of torque, coupled to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The B-Class diesel has a top speed of 190 km/hr and returns a claimed mileage of 18.98 km/l.
Mercedes-Benz has changed the tagline of the B-Class from Sports Tourer to Luxury Tourer. The German automaker has sold more than 500 units of the B-Class in the Indian market in a span of just 10 months. Local assembly of the GL-Class will start next month. Mercedes is starting a luxury touring trail contest and the lucky winner will get to drive the B-Class for one year. Abhay Deol has been roped in as the brand ambassador. The Mercedes B-Class diesel is priced at Rs. 22.60 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The company is bringing the car via the CBU route and CKD operations will only commence next year. The vehicle is offered in 4 colours – white, red, silver and grey.
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